Side Note on Subway

Photo Credit: savingthefamilyhealthy.com

Ahhh, what a delicious place to stop at for your lunch break. Quick service, good taste, and healthy effects---well, definitely two of those three things. We all know and love Subway. Who makes a better sandwich for that price? I know that I can't think of anybody. All in all, it is a great restaurant. They have a good background story, and are known to help people lose weight. There's just a few things that I'd like to point out that may not be in line with the "healthy" aspect.

First of all, whether you believe it or not, Subway does use all processed meats. Now, these aren't the worst processed meats out there, but they are definitely not the best. Obviously, fresh cut meat is going to top Subway's meat any day. Next, when you think about the restaurant in the big picture, it's completely unhealthy. If you make the right choices when you buy from them, yes it is going to keep you on track for your diet. However, it's a sandwich place (carbs), that offers chips (sodium) and cookies (sugar) as your sides, with a fountain full of different sodas (sugar) as your beverage.  If you get all of these things, it's just as bad as some of the other foods we've discussed.

Make sure to check a nutritional guide before going through with the sandwich that you are about to order. If you can, stay away from the processed meats all together.  I know Subway is quick and easy, but keep it in moderation to keep it healthy.

Make sweet choices--in food and in life.

Crazy for Chocolate

Photo Credit: www.ghirardelli.com 

Every once in a while you have to treat yourself to a piece of chocolate. I mean, who doesn't like chocolate? Obviously, in excess it is not good for you, but what you might not know is that some small amounts can even have an effect. White chocolate, milk chocolate, or dark chocolate...which satisfies your sweet tooth?

In the past few years, there have been many studies done specifically on dark chocolate. It has been know to actually be somewhat healthy for you, of course in extremely small amounts.  White chocolate and milk chocolate should be chosen as a treat less often, simply because of the amount of sugar that they contain.  The thing is, though, when it comes to any kind of chocolate, the ingredients it contains can actually negatively affect some people. You eat chocolate if you're sad. You eat chocolate as a reward to yourself. That's perfectly fine for most people. However, it has just been found that it can actually interfere with specific medications that people are taking.  Certain anxiety medicines and antidepressant medicines do not react well with chocolate. Combining chocolate with certain medicines can cause a huge spike in blood pressure, and the medicine won't tell you that on the label.

Do you think this could be affecting you? Talk to your doctor, and indulge in small amounts.  It's all about proportioning what you're eating and never going overboard.

Make sweet choices--in food and in life.